Family Blogs | Barristers & Solicitors

Stowe Family Law

• Family court fees rise again
  From 1st April 2025, for the second consecutive year, the Ministry of Justice has confirmed that Family Court fees in England and Wales will rise. In line with the Government’s proposal that court and tribunal fees should increase to reflect the Consumer Price Index, selected family proceedings fees are set to rise by 3.2%. The... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• Understanding separation agreements: A practical guide for couples
  If you and your spouse have decided to separate but aren’t ready to divorce, or are unmarried and have separated, a Separation Agreement can provide financial clarity and security for life post-separation. In this guide, we’ll explore what a Separation Agreement is, why it might be the right choice, and what it should include to... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• How are businesses split in divorce?
  The business of business can be complicated. Kate Bouwmeester, Associate, explains how businesses are split in divorce. Divorce itself is, relatively speaking, a simple, practical process. However, alongside the legal dissolution of your marriage, it is important to consider the division of finances. This is a separate process to the divorce, but it is extremely important... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• What happens when unmarried couples separate? Considerations for cohabitees
  Cohabitation has been the fastest growing family type in the UK for several years. Couples are less concerned about making those relationships ‘legal’ through marriage or a civil partnership. Cohabitation is not a legal status. Whilst there is an ongoing push for this to change, from family law professionals, politicians and other campaign groups, this... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• What is destiny belief?
  Every relationship is different, and couples in healthy relationships navigate the good and the bad in ways that work for them. Within this, though, many people have fundamental belief patterns about their relationships which guide how they move through life and their romantic relationships. What is destiny belief? There is no scientific evidence that ‘soulmates’... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• Pets and divorce: what happens to (wo)man’s best friend?
  The role of pets in families has been a strong one throughout history. The Ancient Egyptians worshipped their cats, Queen Victoria is known for her love of dogs, and her patronage of the RSPCA and Battersea Dogs’ Home. The late Queen Elizabeth II is often associated with corgis. The reliance people have on their pets... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• Pathfinder pilot continues to put children first in the family court
  Thousands more children will be supported with the latest expansion of the Pathfinder pilot, and a £12.5m funding boost to encourage information sharing between services in children matters. The Pathfinder pilot originally launched in March 2022 in a limited number of family courts in Dorset and North Wales, before expanding to Birmingham and South-East Wales... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• Joint tenants: A guide for UK property owners
  In the UK, when you buy a property with others, you can own it as either joint tenants or tenants in common. This guide focuses on joint tenancy and what it means for co-owners. Both joint tenancy and tenancy in common allow for co-ownership, but they differ in ownership structure and what happens if an... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• Family Mediation Week: Finding a way forward for your family
  This Family Mediation Week, taking place from 27th – 31st January 2025, is an opportunity to find out how mediation can help couples going through divorce or separation work through disputes in a constructive and less adversarial way. What is family mediation? Family mediation is a flexible process where a trained, impartial mediator helps you... […]
  Stowe Family Law
• The growing importance of prenuptial agreements
  Prenuptial agreements, or prenups, are becoming more common. Once seen as only for the ultra-wealthy, or as a sign of mistrust, they’re now recognised as a practical way to protect assets and avoid financial confusion if a marriage doesn’t work out. Whether you’re someone with significant wealth, a parent wanting to safeguard your adult child’s... […]
  Stowe Family Law